Camera-attachable device

ABSTRACT

The invention includes an apparatus for attachment to a camera. One embodiment of the invention includes an attachable storage container. Another embodiment of the invention includes an attachable retractable tether, and a third embodiment includes both an attachable storage container with a retractable tether.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patentapplication Serial No. 60/393,344 filed Jul. 1, 2002. This applicationis also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/262,323 filed Oct. 1, 2002. The specification and drawings of theaforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention pertains to the attachment of components toa camera including but not limited to one or more of a storage containerand a retractable tether.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Cameras are often secured with a strap that is attached to thecamera and worn around the user's neck or shoulder. Straps are used toprevent accidental drops of a camera, as well as to allow the user tomaneuver hands free when the camera is not in use. However, theprotections and amenities offered by a strap are not available when thestrap is not in use. Thus, even cameras with a strap are dropped whenthe user is not wearing the strap, or is not wearing the strap securely.

[0004] Cameras are often stored within a camera bag, and camera bagsoften have a strap worn by the user. Camera bags provide a useful placeto store film, lens covers, additional lenses, cleaning equipment, andother useful items. However, camera bags can be bulky. Also, the use ofa camera bag requires the user to constantly store and remove thecamera, or wear the camera bag and the camera at the same time. Often,the user of a camera bag will not use a camera strap when brieflyremoving the camera for a quick shot.

[0005] What is needed is a storage container that attaches to the cameraitself so that the camera does not need to be constantly stored andremoved for use. Additionally, what is needed is a more secure means ofattaching a camera to the user with a retractable tether.

[0006] These and other features and advantages of this invention willbecome apparent upon reading the following specification, which alongwith the drawings describes and discloses a preferred and alternativeembodiment of the invention in detail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In accord with the invention is disclosed an apparatus forattachment to a camera. One embodiment of the invention includes anattachable storage container. Another embodiment of the inventionincludes an attachable retractor assembly, and a third embodimentincludes both an attachable storage container with a retractor assembly.

[0008] The retractor assembly generally includes a tether that has afree end that can be extended a desired length from the retractor. Thefree end generally will include a coupling device to couple to the useror to an anchor structure. Virtually any known coupling device may beused. The retractor assembly also includes a retraction mechanism fordrawing the tether into the retractor assembly. Many kinds of retractormechanisms are useable in the invention.

[0009] Embodiments of the retractable tether include a means forsecuring one end of the tether to an anchor such as the users belt or anobject near the user. The means for securing one end of the tether to ananchor may be any selected securing means including a piston hook. Someembodiments of the invention couple to a standard tripod socket found onmany cameras. Some embodiments further include apparatus for controllinga rate of retraction of said retractable tether such as a locking deviceor a brake device.

[0010] In some embodiments, the tethering apparatus may be modified toallow a locking mechanism for the tether. Such a mechanism allows forthe operator to use the tool without exerting a counter force againstthe retracting mechanism while the camera is being used. When done, theoperator disengages the locking mechanism. As an alternative to thelocking mechanism, a ratchet mechanism may be substituted which wouldallow the tool to be extended away from the anchor point, but would notallow a potentially uncontrolled retraction back toward the user. Oneembodiment of a ratchet mechanism would require the operator todisengage the ratchet mechanism and hold the mechanism disengage whilethe camera is retracted.

[0011] In another embodiment, the retraction mechanism may be configuredso that the tension applied to the tether varies as the tether isunwound from the retraction mechanism. For example, the tension may behigh when the camera is near the coupling device attached to theoperator in order to prevent the pliers from bouncing on the tether whenthe operator is walking. The tension may fall as the camera is movedaway from the coupling device in order to reduce resistance to theoperators handling and use of the tether.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] A better understanding of the present invention will be had uponreference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer tolike parts in the several views and in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a camera and one embodiment of theinvention coupled to the camera;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;

[0016]FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view showing the majorfunctional components of the invention;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the attachabledevice of the invention, including a retractor mechanism, but not astorage compartment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] In accord with the invention is disclosed apparatus forattachment to or us on a camera. The invention will be described in thecontext of example configurations. However, the invention is usable in avariety of configurations. For example, one embodiment of the inventionincludes an attachable storage container. Another embodiment of theinvention includes an attachable retractor assembly. A third embodimentincludes both an attachable storage container with a retractor assembly,and a fourth embodiment includes camera fabricated to include aretractor assembly. Virtually any size or shaped storage container, anykind of retractable tether, any type of tether coupling devices, andmany kinds of cameras, may be usable in the invention.

[0019] The retractor assembly generally includes a tether that has afree end that can be extended a desired length from the retractor, aretraction mechanism for drawing the tether into the retractor assembly,and a coupling device on the free end of the tether to couple to theuser or to an anchor structure.

[0020] Some embodiments of the storage container and/or the retractorassembly of the invention couple to a standard tripod socket found onmany cameras.

[0021] Some embodiments further include apparatus for controlling a rateof retraction of said retractable tether such as a locking device or abrake device. For example, in some embodiments, the tethering apparatusmay be modified to allow a locking mechanism for the tether. Such amechanism allows for the operator to use the tool without exerting acounter force against the retracting mechanism while the camera is beingused. When done, the operator disengages the locking mechanism. In otherembodiments, a ratchet mechanism may be substituted which would allowthe tool to be extended away from the anchor point, but would not allowa potentially uncontrolled retraction back toward the user. In anotherembodiment, the retraction mechanism may be configured so that thetension applied to the tether varies as the tether is unwound from theretraction mechanism. For example, the tension may be high when thecamera is near the coupling device attached to the operator in order toprevent the pliers from bouncing on the tether when the operator iswalking. The tension may fall as the camera is moved away from thecoupling device in order to reduce resistance to the operators handlingand use of the tether. One skilled in the art may easily make or selectan appropriate retraction control means.

[0022] Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, an exampleis shown of an attachable device 100 including a tether 140, tetherretractor housing 110, a coupling device 150, and a storage container130.

[0023] In alternate embodiments, the attachable device 100 may includemany other selected functional features including but not limited to adigital clock, storage, a finder, or wireless modem for electronicallytransmitting photographs. Furthermore, one skilled in the art may easilymodify the shape and size of the attachable device 100 to adapt thedevice for use on particular camera models, or to adapt the device 100for particular functions.

[0024] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the attachable deviceincludes a retractable tether, with one end of the tether coupled to aretractor mechanism (best seen in FIG. 4) and the other coupled to acoupling device 150. The coupling device 150 seen in FIG. 1 is a pistonhook 170. A detachable connector 160 allows the end of the tether to beremoved from the piston hook 170 and attached to some other type ofattachment means. This allows for the operator to employ a differentattachment means that may be dependent on the type of surface the camerais to be attached. For example, the piston hook 170 could remainattached to a hook within a boat when connector 160 is detached, andthen connector 160 could be attached to a second piston hook 170 on theoperator's pant belt loops. This feature allows the camera to be easilyand quickly moved between different attachment locations that theoperator may desire.

[0025] In alternate embodiments many other known coupling mechanisms maybe substituted for the piston hook 170. Other embodiments may not use adetachable connector 160, and additional embodiments may include aswivel connector between the piston hook 170 and the tether 140. Thetether 140 may be fabricated from virtually any material havingsufficient strength to hold the camera.

[0026] The storage compartment 130 is configured to hold batteries,however, in alternate embodiments the storage compartment 130 may beconfigured to store a variety of desired objects such as memorycomponents for digital cameras, film, and additional camera lenses. Forexample, FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein thestorage compartment 330 is dimensioned to accommodate a roll of film.Returning to FIG. 1, any acceptable material may be used to fabricatethe storage compartment 130 including various plastic, leather, andcloth materials. In the embodiment, shown, the storage compartment 130is made of the same material as the retractor mechanism housing 110. Thestorage container can be sealed with any known latches, zippers, etc.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, the attachable device 100 may be coupled toa camera 210 using the camera's tripod socket using a screw 120 that isdimensioned to threadably engage a standard camera tripod socket. Thus,the attachable device 100 can be secured to a camera via the camera'stripod socket, and then secured to the user via the coupling device 150.In alternate embodiments other means for coupling to the camera may beused, including but not limited to fastening to camera strap ties thatmay already exist on the camera. In still other embodiments, the cameramay be fabricated to include a built in retractor assembly.

[0028]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an example embodiment of theattachable device. Many retractor configurations are useable, however, apreferred embodiment is shown in this figure. The functional componentsof the retractable tether apparatus include a spool 440 onto which thetether 140 is wound. The retractor spring 450 provides the spring forcerequired to automatically rewind the tether 140 back onto the spool 440.The retractor spring 450, spool 440, and tether 140 are enclosed withina casing 460 having a cap 430. The casing 460 and cap 430 are thenplaced within the housing 110, and the housing is sealed with the screw120 that passes through the lid 415, cap 430, spool 440, retractorspring 450, casing 460, and base 470, as shown. The lid 410 has a hole415 to allow the screw to pass through, as well as a slot 420 to allowthe tether 140 to pass through. Similarly, the base 470 has a hole 480to allow the screw 120 to pass through, as well as a slot 485 to allowthe tether 140 to pass through.

[0029] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the screw 120 passes throughthe lid 410 and base 470 of the housing 110, extending beyond the base470 to engage a camera's tripod socket. However, in alternateembodiments the screw need not necessarily pass through the housing 110to engage the camera 210, and instead, other known means for couplingthe attachable device 100 to the camera 210 may be used.

[0030] The retractor mechanism may be configured to include a tetherretraction control mechanism such as a locking mechanism, brakemechanism, or ratchet mechanism locking mechanism for the tether. Such amechanism allows for the operator to use the camera 210 without exertinga counter force on the retracting mechanism during camera use, but wouldpreferably not allow a potentially uncontrolled retraction back towardthe user. When done using the camera, the operator disengages thelocking mechanism. One advantage of having the tethering mechanismattached to the camera is that the user may access the locking mechanismwithout releasing the camera 210 because the tethering mechanism andcamera are attached together. Such mechanisms are known in the art andmay be easily adapted by one skilled in the art for use in theinvention. In one embodiment, the tether retraction control mechanismmay require the operator to disengage the mechanism and hold themechanism disengage while the camera 210 is retracted.

[0031] As an alternative to the locking mechanism, a brake mechanism maybe substituted which would allow the camera to be extended away from theanchor point, but would not allow a potentially uncontrolled retractionback toward the user. A preferred embodiment of a brake mechanism wouldrequire the operator to disengage the ratchet mechanism and to hold themechanism disengaged while the camera is retracted.

[0032] In another embodiment, the retraction mechanism may be configuredso that tension applied to the tether is varied when the tether isunwound from the retraction mechanism. For example, the tension may behigh when the camera is near the coupling device 150 attached to theoperator in order to prevent the camera from bouncing on the tether whenthe operator is walking. The tension may fall as the camera is movedaway from the coupling device 150 in order to reduce resistance to theoperators handling and use of the camera.

[0033]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the attachabledevice of the invention, including a retractor mechanism, but not astorage compartment.

[0034] To use the attachable storage container with a retractable tether100, the user drives the screw 120 into a camera's tripod socket as seenin FIG. 2. Then, the user secures the coupling device 150 to an anchor.Most often, a convenient anchoring point will be a clothing article suchas the user's belt. However, the user may alternatively anchor theinvention to other objects place, to store the camera safely and yetallow the camera to be easily accessible for use, such as a bicycle,boat, or backpack. When the user desires to use the camera, he graspsthe camera and pulls the camera into position for use, extending thetether to the length necessary. When the user is finished with thecamera, the tether is allowed to retract. In embodiments with a lockingsystem of braking mechanism, the user may need to operate the lockingsystem of braking mechanism to allow the tether to retract.

[0035] Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have beendescribed in detail above, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that many additional modifications are possible withoutdeparting materially from the novel teachings and advantages of theinvention. For example, the camera bag with a retractable tether may beattached to a camera in some other way roughly equivalent to the tripodsocket.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera-attachable device for attaching to acamera, said camera-attachable device, comprising: a retractor assembly;and a connector connecting said retractor assembly to the camera
 2. Thecamera-attachable device of claim 1, wherein said means for attachingsaid retractor assembly to the camera couples to a tripod socket.
 3. Thecamera-attachable device of claim 2, wherein said means for attachingsaid retractor assembly to said tripod socket comprises a screw.
 4. Thecamera-attachable device of claim 1, further comprising a storagecompartment.
 5. The camera-attachable device of claim 1, wherein saidretractor assembly comprises a retractable tether, and a retractorcoupled to a first end of said tether.
 6. The camera-attachable deviceof claim 5, further comprising a securing means for securing saidretractable tether to an anchor structure.
 7. The camera-attachabledevice of claim 5, further comprising an apparatus for controlling arate of retraction of said retractable tether.
 8. The camera-attachabledevice of claim 7, wherein said apparatus for controlling said rate ofretraction of said retractable tether comprises a lock.
 9. Thecamera-attachable device of claim 7, wherein said apparatus forcontrolling said rate of retraction of said retractable tether comprisesa brake.
 10. A camera and retractor in combination comprising: a camera,a retractor, and a connector connecting said retractor to a camera, anda retractable tether having a first end and a second end, said first endof said tether attached to said retractor.
 11. The camera retractor ofclaim 10, wherein said means for attaching said retractor to said cameracouples to a tripod socket on said camera.
 12. The camera retractor ofclaim 12, wherein said means for attaching said retractor assembly tosaid tripod socket of said camera comprises a screw.
 13. The cameraretractor of claim 11, further comprising a storage compartment.
 14. Thecamera retractor of claim 11, further comprising a coupling device forsecuring said retractable tether to an anchor structure.
 15. The cameraretractor of claim 10, further comprising an apparatus for controlling arate of retraction of said retractable tether.
 16. The camera retractorof claim 15, wherein said apparatus for controlling said rate ofretraction of said retractable tether comprises a lock.
 17. The cameraretractor of claim 15, wherein said apparatus for controlling said rateof retraction of said retractable tether comprises a brake.
 18. Themethod of using the camera retractor of claim 15, comprising the steps:attaching said coupling device to said anchor structure; moving saidcamera away from a retracted position into a use position, therebyextending said tether; using said camera; and allowing said retractor toretract said tether to move said camera from said use position to saidretracted position.
 19. The method of claim 19 wherein said step ofmoving said camera, away from a retracted position into a use position,thereby extending said tether, further includes the step of: activatinga retraction control mechanism to prevent unwanted retraction of saidtether.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein said step of allowing saidretractor to move said camera from said use position to said retractedposition further includes the step of: releasing said retraction controlmechanism to allow retraction of said tether.